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So that's the huge underground city in Turkey discovered by a man who was renovating his basement. He just kind of put the hammer against the wall and just opened up this cavern to an underground city. It's a fun episode. Only 11 minutes, so stick around. A man from Derinkuyu in the Nevershire province of Turkey was renovating his basement.

So that's the huge underground city in Turkey discovered by a man who was renovating his basement. He just kind of put the hammer against the wall and just opened up this cavern to an underground city. It's a fun episode. Only 11 minutes, so stick around. A man from Derinkuyu in the Nevershire province of Turkey was renovating his basement.

Using only a sledgehammer, he broke through one of his walls. He felt cool air coming in from the other side. When the hole was large enough to squeeze through, he decided to investigate. And inside, he found a small room-sized cave. And at first, he was excited. This could save him a lot of work. This area of Turkey has a complex cave system, so he thought he accidentally stumbled into one.

Using only a sledgehammer, he broke through one of his walls. He felt cool air coming in from the other side. When the hole was large enough to squeeze through, he decided to investigate. And inside, he found a small room-sized cave. And at first, he was excited. This could save him a lot of work. This area of Turkey has a complex cave system, so he thought he accidentally stumbled into one.

He didn't. When he turned on his flashlight, he saw writing on the walls. Roman, Greek and languages he didn't recognize. That first small room was only the beginning. Let's find out why. Flashlight in hand, he followed the narrow stone hallway. At first glance, this looked like a natural cave formation, but upon closer inspection, he wasn't so sure.

He didn't. When he turned on his flashlight, he saw writing on the walls. Roman, Greek and languages he didn't recognize. That first small room was only the beginning. Let's find out why. Flashlight in hand, he followed the narrow stone hallway. At first glance, this looked like a natural cave formation, but upon closer inspection, he wasn't so sure.

The stone ceiling was rough, like you'd expect to see in a cave, but the walls were smooth. Over hundreds or thousands of years, an underground river could have eroded away the stone, but there was something eerie about this place. It was as if he could feel a human presence. The hallway continued for some ways, eventually spilling into a large room that could fit dozens of people.

The stone ceiling was rough, like you'd expect to see in a cave, but the walls were smooth. Over hundreds or thousands of years, an underground river could have eroded away the stone, but there was something eerie about this place. It was as if he could feel a human presence. The hallway continued for some ways, eventually spilling into a large room that could fit dozens of people.

And from here, he found a system of passageways. And here and there were more small rooms. And some looked like storage areas with crevices that could have acted as shelves. And around every corner, he found more rooms. First, he thought this was some kind of hideout, but it was just too big. Nobody could have built this.

And from here, he found a system of passageways. And here and there were more small rooms. And some looked like storage areas with crevices that could have acted as shelves. And around every corner, he found more rooms. First, he thought this was some kind of hideout, but it was just too big. Nobody could have built this.

So after exploring a few hours, he thought he finally reached the end of the structure. But after making a sharp turn, he saw actual carved stairs, which led down even further into the darkness. If there was any question before, now it was clear this wasn't a natural structure. It was built by people, but it was too massive for him to explore on his own.

So after exploring a few hours, he thought he finally reached the end of the structure. But after making a sharp turn, he saw actual carved stairs, which led down even further into the darkness. If there was any question before, now it was clear this wasn't a natural structure. It was built by people, but it was too massive for him to explore on his own.

So when he made it back through the hole in his basement wall, he called the Turkish authorities and described to them what he'd found. They told him he was describing the myth of the hidden city of Derinkuyu. And the man knew the story well. He'd heard it since he was a boy.

So when he made it back through the hole in his basement wall, he called the Turkish authorities and described to them what he'd found. They told him he was describing the myth of the hidden city of Derinkuyu. And the man knew the story well. He'd heard it since he was a boy.

The myth of Derinkuyu talked of an ancient city which provided refuge to every citizen in the area, built thousands of years ago, hidden beneath the surface. He knew the myth of Derinkuyu very well. He then said, sir, with all due respect, it's not a myth. Derinkuyu is in the Cappadocia region of central Turkey, which has very distinct geology. Millions of years ago, volcanoes covered the area.

The myth of Derinkuyu talked of an ancient city which provided refuge to every citizen in the area, built thousands of years ago, hidden beneath the surface. He knew the myth of Derinkuyu very well. He then said, sir, with all due respect, it's not a myth. Derinkuyu is in the Cappadocia region of central Turkey, which has very distinct geology. Millions of years ago, volcanoes covered the area.

When ash is ejected during a volcanic eruption, it solidifies into a type of rock called tuff. And tuff is a relatively soft and porous rock found all over the region.

When ash is ejected during a volcanic eruption, it solidifies into a type of rock called tuff. And tuff is a relatively soft and porous rock found all over the region.

Well, it comes from the Latin word tophus, meaning sandstone.

Well, it comes from the Latin word tophus, meaning sandstone.